Mr. and Mrs. Squirrel, Owl, and the Sycamore Tree

Mr. and Mrs. Squirrel, Owl, and the Sycamore Tree.

By: Caleb Branam

A certain owl set out one day for new lands. This was a particular barn owl who tired of his drafty barn, its rustic setting and meager offerings. In truth no barn in the world would be enough. No place ever would, Owl suffered from one of the most powerful curses ever known. Owl wanted more. Always he wanted more, and his cunning and power were such, that what he could not achieve by guile, he took by force. Driven by ego and insatiable avarice Owl took wing in search of more, and more, and more. After many days and nights of flight he came to a sprawling city. Owl soared above the snow-capped rooftops until at length he found a church. Weary from the journey he landed on the steeple and took in the scene below.

Now in this courtyard there grew a tall and mighty sycamore tree. Long ago one of the great branches had been hewn off and in the hollow stump that remained was the home of Mr. and Mrs. Squirrel.

Mr. and Mrs. Squirrel loved each other dearly and so, some years ago had decided they should live and keep house together. The hollow in the sycamore tree was the home they had made, and though it was by no means grand, they cherished it and lived happily therein. It kept them safe and warm and all about the courtyard below they had buried cache after cache of food stores to see them through the lean times. It was a good home and one which was filled with love.

Now Owl had watched them coming and going throughout the onset of night. He sat stone still apart from his head which swiveled this way and that. All the while his eyes like puddles of night in a snow-white face studied what went on below. In addition to Mr. and Mrs. Squirrel there were innumerable rats who leapt from their warrens into the moonlit night, crisscrossing empty streets and alleyways only to disappear once more back into the underworld in which they dwelt. Hunger stirred in Owl, and he swept down on a particularly plump rat sinking his talons into him and carrying him off in one swift motion. He returned to the belfry and devoured his kill with but little resistance. Owl had eaten his fill but found himself still vexed and as always desirous of more. The winter wind whipped through the bell tower and ruffled his feathers.

“Why should squirrels live better than an Owl!” he angrily mused

“Certainly, the winds do not plague them in their hollow as it does me in this exposed eyrie. Tomorrow I shall go down there, drive them out, and make it my own.”

Little did Owl know that Pigeon and her children were nestled silently among the eaves and had heard the entirety of Owl’s foul plot.

The next day as Pigeon and her extensive relations were sunning themselves upon the church rooftop Mrs. Squirrel dashed across the snowy branches and vaulted across to the shingles and made her way over to greet her friend Pigeon.

“Hello sister Pigeon! A beautiful sunny day is it not?”

“I fear it may be a most dreadful day sister Squirrel, for Owl has come and means to do you grave harm!”

Pigeon then relayed all she had heard the night before. Mrs. Squirrel was filled with fear yet even still she resolved to make her stand. So, she went straight home and told her husband all that she had learned and together they came up with a plan to outwit the wicked Owl.

At nightfall Owl drifted down ominously coming to rest on the branch nearest to the hollow scattering snow as he landed.

“Come out friend Squirrels, I have a matter to discuss with you.” Owl amiably called out to them.

Mr. and Mrs. Squirrel were not fooled by his genial manner however and replied “Friend Owl, we have heard of your plans and know of your intent. We have no desire to become a meal for one such as you, besides you are so great and powerful, you deserve more than this humble hollow. Fly one block hence and you shall find a wide boulevard with many large trees with nooks and crannies far nicer than this to nest in and hares aplenty for you to hunt. Surely you would prefer that to we scrawny squirrels and our modest dwelling.”

Owl was unconvinced, but thoughts of finer roosts and fattened rabbits filled his mind and he too agreed that he deserved more. Once again, his greed won out.

“Very well, but if it is not as you say I will return tomorrow and destroy you both.” With that Owl departed and made for the boulevard.

As the sun was setting the next day Owl returned.

“You tricked me!” He shrieked “I found the boulevard, and hunted for hare, I even found what I thought to be an acceptable knot to rest in, however in the day the noise from the street was unbearable. There was no escaping the cacophony and I found no rest. Now I shall make a meal out of you both and take your home for my very own.”

“Oh, noble Owl spare us!” quaked Mr. Squirrel then he continued.

“This tree is no better, for in the yard next door Dog and his brother live and in the day they bark incessantly. You would rest no better here you must believe me!”

“I have not seen them.” Owl responded more coldly than the wind which whistled through the branches of the sycamore.

Seeing his mounting distrust Mrs. Squirrel broke in and spoke

“Besides, we are such fools! The boulevard is fine for folk as lowly as us but for one as illustrious as yourself it is not worthy. Perhaps if you tried the empty building Man used to live in?”

“Oh yes! That is a palace indeed!” Mr. Squirrel agreed.

Owl grew tired of these two and the nights were growing steadily colder. However, he was intrigued by this palace of Man. Owl thought a moment then decided to investigate it for himself. He could always come back tomorrow and deal with Mr. and Mrs. Squirrel.

“Very well. If it is not as you say though I will come back tomorrow and slay you both then take this hollow for my home.” With a flurry of wings, he struck out in search of the palace of Man.

The next day Mr. and Mrs. Squirrel were filled with anxiety. They knew they had not seen the last of Owl.

“What will we do if he comes tonight? How can we outwit him again? Mrs. Squirrel fretted.

“We must speak to Cat.” Mr. Squirrel replied with a note of uncertainty in his voice.

So, he trekked and traipsed across the branches and eaves until he reached the windowsill outside of Cat’s home. He found her lounging in the sun just beyond the glass.

“Hello little Squirrel, won’t you come in out of the cold?” Cat purred enticingly.

“No thank you Cat. I came only for counsel.” Squirrel knew Cat was fond of her games and they rarely if ever were to his benefit or liking. Still, Cat was ancient, and she had her wiles. He knew if any could help with Owl that it would be her.

“Will you help me please?” He implored her.

“What is it that you need help with?” Cat absentmindedly inquired.

Squirrel told Cat all about Owl, his visits and his threat to return tonight. After he had finished his tale Cat yawned and stretched, then she spoke.

“Tonight, when he comes back tell him he may have your home, but that he must be patient while you gather your things and move.” Mr. Squirrel was distraught and protested “But it is our home, and certainly he will never agree!”

Cat grinned and continued “You will keep your home if you do as I say. He will agree if you tell him, it will be far nicer and more spacious with all your things gone, you must make him agree, but whatever you do, do not trust a word he says and do not for any reason leave your home.”

Mr. Squirrel nodded his acceptance. Cat then outlined the rest of the plan.

“Collect some snow in your cauldron and melt it. Then, tell Owl that all your belongings are nearly packed and ready, but first offer him food and a bath, so that he may wash the blood off his talons. After he has washed, bid him wait outside upon the branch while you say a final goodbye. It will be covered in snow and his feet dripping with water and when he lands upon it, he will freeze to the limb. Once this has been accomplished all you must do is wait him out inside your warm and cozy hollow.”

Mr. Squirrel was delighted by Cat’s cunning, and he beamed

“How can I ever repay you?” Cat simply grinned and stretched another luxurious stretch then turned and sauntered off without a word.

Unnerved though still overjoyed Mr. Squirrel darted home and told his wife all about Cat’s plan. Together they collected the snow and built the fire and melted it. Once all was in order, they settled in to wait for Owl once more.

At dusk Owl returned, this time more furious than ever.

“I went to Man’s palace. At night all was quiet and well, but in the day, he came with many tools. Cutting and banging and shouting all the while. Then he found me in the rafters and chased me out with sticks. You lied! Man has not abandoned the place! Now you shall die for your deceit.”

“Oh, wise Owl you are too mighty for us, spare us our lives and we will give you our home, only first allow us time to remove our belongings so that it may be more expansive within, with more space to accommodate you. As it is now it would be much too crowded for you. In the meantime, we shall prepare you a hot bath and a feast. Consider it an apology for your troubles.”

Owl had decided to kill the pair of them regardless and had designs on a feast of his own making. However, he did fancy the idea of more room, and a hot bath might be nice on this cold night.

“So be it.” Owl decreed.

Mr. and Mrs. Squirrel continued with their ruse. After a time, Mrs. Squirrel brought the cauldron out through the window and bade Owl to bathe and wash the blood from his talons. Once he had done so the feast would be ready and they would depart, and he might move in to the hollow and eat his fill. After he had done this Mr. Squirrel spoke “All is ready Owl If you would but grant us one more boon, we will trouble you no more. Will you wait upon the branch outside as we say goodbye to the place? It will take but a moment.”

“Very well but be quick about it.” Owl seethed and fluttered away to a place upon the snow crusted branch he thought suitable to ambush the two when they exited the hollow. He settled in and relished the vengeance to come.

Meanwhile Mr. and Mrs. Squirrel returned to their fire and together basked in its warmth while outside the icy wind howled. By the time Owl had realized their treachery his feet were frozen solid to the tree. The rest of him swiftly followed until he was stone dead.

The next morning when Mr. and Mrs. Squirrel came outside Owl was reduced to no more than a crystalline gargoyle. They rejoiced and celebrated Owl’s demise. They threw a marvelous party with all their friends in attendance and the festivities were not soon forgotten. To this day Mr. and Mrs. Squirrel live in their hollow in the sycamore tree where they live humbly and happily forevermore.

The End